Memorial Day weekend is almost here and you know what that means.
It’s time to honor our service men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
And as we celebrate, several folks will be busting out the grill to enjoy good food with their families.
But safety is the key, as Flour Bluff Fire Chief Dale Scott explains.
Scott’s excited for the upcoming holiday weekend. But, he wants to remind everyone that following just a few simple safety rules can ensure not just a fun time, but a safe one as well.
Memorial Day is right around the corner and local residents are eager to fire up the grills. Scott says there are some precautions they should keep in mind.
“A good idea if you’re going to be barbecuing at home is to keep the pit at least 10 feet away from the structure and have a garden hose close by, just in case something happens.”
As for those who may take their pit out to the beach, be mindful where you dispose of coals.
“Make sure you dispose of the coals properly, don’t just throw them on the beach, where somebody barefoot could step on them and get burned,” Scott said.
Memorial Day is a family-inclusive holiday, so always be sure to keep an eye out on the little ones.
“Small children need to be very careful around the pit because they will put their hands on things and they can get seriously injured,” Scott said. ”Or they could actually even pull the pit over on top of them.”
The fire department chief also emphasizes to either use charcoal or charcoal lighter fluid but do not use gasoline to light your fire. And never leave the grill unattended as it can overheat and catch fire if left alone for too long.
“You don’t want to get injured and then end up spending your holiday in a hospital or in the back of an ambulance,” he said. “So, just be safe, be careful. if you’re going to the beach, watch for the rip currents and keep an eye on the flags.”
Scott also strongly recommends that anyone who chooses to take the festivities out to the beach should please keep an eye out on the children, be aware of the rip currents and also drink responsibly.
